Tag Archives: Central Coast

Residents of the Central Coast can make a difference in their communities, empower people to work and preserve the landscape by diverting millions of pounds from landfills by donating to Goodwill Central Coast today.

Salinas, CA, June 03, 2019 — Residents of the Central Coast can make a difference in their communities, empower people to work and preserve the landscape by diverting millions of pounds from landfills by donating to Goodwill Central Coast today.

Goodwill Central Coast is encouraging residents in Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo counties to donate to their local Goodwill store or donation station. From home pick-ups to tax write- offs, Goodwill makes giving to Goodwill as easy as possible.

It’s easy to declutter when you know Goodwill will be there to accept your donations and repurpose those items that don’t “spark joy” in you, but may do so for someone else.

Retail sales from donated items allows Goodwill to continue empowering thousands of people through employment every year. Goodwill gratefully accepts everything from clothing and accessories to small household appliances and furniture, electronics, books, fine china, art and other collectibles in good or new condition.

Goodwill Central Coast, a private 501(c)3 non-profit organization, began in 1928 in the city of Santa Cruz and today has expanded into three counties: Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Luis Obispo. Goodwill Central Coast now employs over 600 people, including employment training professionals, sales personnel, donation center attendants, warehouse and distribution workers, and administrators. Its programs strengthen communities by improving job growth, the lives of individuals and families, and the health of our environment. Each year Goodwill assists more than 13,000 job seekers get back to work and reclaim financial and personal independence. Goodwill provides a positive learning environment that creates brighter futures through connecting people to meaningful work.

All branches of the Central Coast YMCA will celebrate Healthy Kids’ Day, the Y’s national initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids and families, on Saturday, April 27, 2019.

Salinas, CA, April 21, 2019 — All branches of the Central Coast YMCA will celebrate Healthy Kids’ Day, the Y’s national initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids and families, on Saturday, April 27, 2019.

For over 25 years, YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day has celebrated kids’ health and continues to teach healthy habits for kids and families, encourage active play and inspire a lifetime love of physical activity.

YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day will include fun active play and educational activities to keep kids moving and learning, in order to maintain healthy habits and academic skills to achieve goals and reach their full potential.

Events on April 27, will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in Watsonville, San Benito and South County; from 10 a.m. to noon in Salinas; and 2-4 p.m. at the Salinas Aquatic Center. Monterey’s was combined with Pacific Grove’s Good Old Days celebration on April 6th.

In addition, Central Coast YMCA will waive the joining fee (a $50 value) for anyone becoming a member on April 27.

Police & K9 Units, Monterey County Rape Crisis Center, Sun Street Centers, CASA of Monterey County, as well as a bounce house and photo booth.

YMCA of San Benito County

Greenheart International, Gavilan College, California Highway Patrol, Monterey Bay Air Resources District, San Benito County Sheriff, Safe Kids Coalition of San Benito County, New York Life, SNAP-ED, San Benito County HHSA-RFA, San Benito County Free Library, with 22 more scheduled to participate.

Healthy Kids’ Day conflicts with the City of Watsonville’s Earth Day event, so there will be no vendors, but will highlight the Y at the branch with fun, games and activities. Family Zumba, Kids Fit, etc.

A child’s development is never on vacation, so Healthy Kids Day encourages youth and families to “Awaken Summer Imagination,” serving as summer kick-off event that helps kids stay healthy and achieving all summer long.

Formed in 1989, the Central Coast YMCA began with the merger of two independent YMCAs; the Salinas Community YMCA (founded in 1921) and the Watsonville Family YMCA (founded in 1898). Originally a USO built in 1941, with the purpose of supporting American troops during World War II, the YMCA of the Monterey Peninsula joined the association in 1990. In 1998 the South County YMCA became the fourth branch in the association, extending its service area to the residents of south Monterey County. The YMCA of San Benito County became the fifth and most recent addition to the association in 1999.

CCYMCA is an independent, private, nonprofit corporation, a part of the YMCA of the USA, but responsible for its own policies, programs, and budgets. It employs 27 full-time employees, about 225 part-time employees, and 120 volunteers who impact approximately 40,000 people in Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey counties.

For more information on Central Coast YMCA, call (831) 757-4633 or go to centralcoastymca.org. CCYMCA is located at 500 Lincoln Ave. in Salinas.

The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History has announced that it is offering eight summer camp programs in 2019 for youths from kindergarten through fifth grade.

Pacific Grove, CA, March 18, 2019 — The Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History has announced that it is offering eight summer camp programs in 2019 for youths from kindergarten through fifth grade.

Participants will have fun exploring the natural world while engaging in enjoyable and educational activities. Programs fill up fast, so early registration is encouraged. This year, the Museum is offering eight excellent summer camp programs, including camps for TK-2nd grade and 3rd-5th grade. Cost for all camps: non-member, $335; family member and above, $285.

Here are the summer camps for 2019:

CAMP FOR TK-2ND

For kids who will be going into TK-2nd grade in the fall (no younger than 4 years old at start of camp, must be potty trained).

OCEAN EXPLORERS CAMP — (6/3-6/7)

Exciting and hands-on exploration of life under the sea. Through themed activities, games, crafts, and walking field trips, campers will discover the endless wonders of life in the ocean. Explore tide pools, view plankton through a microscope, and more during Ocean Explorers Camp.

BUGGIN’ OUT CAMP — (6/10-6/14)

A week of creeping, crawling bugs at the Museum. Through hands-on activities, crafts, games, and more, we’ll uncover the world of bees, butterflies, spiders, and other many-legged creatures. Explore the Museum’s gardens and local parks as part of this adventure into understanding the amazing world of bugs!

DINOSAUR CAMP — (6/24-6/28)

A week of prehistoric wonder as campers explore the age of the dinosaurs. T. rex teeth, a mosasaurus skull, and an allosaurus claw are just a few of items campers will explore during this hands-on week of dino discovery. Campers will also dig for fossils, explore the museum’s exhibits, and create arts and crafts.

OUTER SPACE CAMP — (7/8-7/12)

Campers join in on a week of extraterrestrial exploration during the Museum’s first Outer Space Camp. Through games, activities, crafts, and exhibits, we’ll learn about the planets, stars, and galaxies that make up the Universe. Campers will create their own planets, design and launch jet-powered rockets, build a lunar lander, and more during an out-of-this-world week!

WILDLIFE SAFARI CAMP — (7/15-7/19)

A week of camp that will be all about animals. Meet the predators and prey (both the feathered and the furry) that call the Museum home. We’ll explore skulls, bones, nests, and more during this hands on week of animal adventures!

MYSTERIES OF NATURE — (7/22-7/26)

Everyone likes a good mystery. Campers join in on a week of sleuthing as they explore the mysterious, spooky, unusual, and fascinating parts of the natural world. Bubbling science experiments, homemade slime, and fantastical creatures will headline this week of unexpected science fun.

CAMP FOR 3RD-5TH GRADE

For kids who will be going into 3rd-5th grade in the fall:

EXPEDITION CAMP — (6/17-6/21)

Only explorers need apply. Join this camp for a week outdoors as the Museum takes summer camp on the road. Each day of camp will feature a new location, where campers embark on an adventure of discovery and learning within the unique settings of the area’s local parks and open spaces. Drop-off and pick-up locations will vary, and will be within a 10-mile radius of the Museum.

WOMEN OF SCIENCE — (7/29-8/2)

Join this girls-only week of summer camp as campers explore the lives of some of the world’s most famous and accomplished scientists. The spotlight turns toward famous botanists, biologists, astronomers, and more, as campers learn about the lives and accomplishments of some of the many amazing Women of Science.

Note: Campers are required to be within the specified grade and age range at the start of camp. Drop off for campers begins at 8:45 a.m. Pick up campers no later than 15 minutes after camp ends.

In 1883, our museum opened its doors among the first wave of natural history museums in America. Naturalists of this era, such as John Muir And Louis Aggasiz, began a national tradition of hands-on science education and nature preservation. The museum has continued this tradition for 130 years. The museum’s mission is to inspire discovery, wonder, and stewardship of our natural world. It envisions a community of curious minds, engaged in discovering the natural heritage and cultural legacy that exist today on the Central California Coast. The Museum is a catalyst for conservation and a valued learning resource in this region, facilitating active inquiry for all ages.

Vietnam is recognized as a good destination for MICE. The tourism industry, especially luxury hotels and airlines, have had success in promoting Vietnam’s new MICE venues.

“Vietnam is for everyone and all sizes of MICE events can be held in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Central Vietnam (Hue, Danang, Hoi An). The international standard hotel in Central Vietnam has modern conference facilities, resort and meeting rooms and a variety of attractions suiting all tastes. This can include trips for nature and culture lovers, golfers, health and spa enthusiasts, and aficionados of fine cuisine. Further, the Central Coast of Vietnam has more varied products to offer the MICE market than Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi,” said Pham Ha, founder and CEO of Luxury Travel Ltd.

The central coast is growing in stature as one the hottest tourist spots in Southeast Asia with a variety of attractions. With a string of top-class resorts and golf courses opening, the region has been steadily growing in stature as one of the hottest tourist spots in the country and Southeast Asia but the arrival of a new international standard airport with links to multiple cities in China, Singapore and routes to Bangkok and Hong Kong set to open soon will help put Danang on the global map.

“We need to promote Vietnam as a preferred destination for both domestic and international MICE travels. We will foster closer and more effective partnerships between the private and government sectors. This will help build Vietnam’s ability to compete internationally in the long term,” explained Ha.

Luxury Travel opened its Danang office to tap tourism boom in Central Coast of Vietnam. MICE planners can go to www.luxurytravelvietnam.com for inspiration and options for successful meeting incentive conference and exhibition trips.